Chapter 118: Unsealing

“Hmph, too afraid to step forward? Perfect, I also need some time to recover.” Zhu Xi calmly rubbed his chest. Yaoye frowned deeply. He knew that delaying was disadvantageous, but thinking of the villagers who had died, he shook his head in frustration.

“What am I hesitating for? Even if Zhu Xi’s cultivation is superior, so what? When two meet on a narrow path, the brave prevail. If I don’t even have the courage to fight once, how will I ever face the demon clan again?”

Yaoye wiped away his bloodied tears, drew out his Trace-less Greatsword, took a running start, and leapt high, swinging directly at Zhu Xi.

“Hmph, overestimating yourself,” Zhu Xi said as he drew a long spear, attacking Yaoye in return. Yaoye knew his advantage was fleeting; the gap in their realms was too vast. He had resolved early on to trade injury for injury.

Grimacing, he let the spear pierce his shoulder, then swung his Heaven Scar sword overhead. Zhu Xi was caught off guard.

Quickly withdrawing his spear to block above his head, Zhu Xi felt the downward force and the weight of the greatsword slam heavily against his spear shaft. Staring in shock at Yaoye, he was sent flying.

Zhu Xi landed firmly on his feet after a backflip, his hands trembling uncontrollably. Glancing at the fresh blood on his tiger’s mouth, he looked at Yaoye in astonishment.

“You are impressive, but this is where it ends!”

Zhu Xi raised his spear, continuously infusing it with spiritual energy. The spear glowed with a silver aura. He coldly snorted at Yaoye.

“Hmph, little bastard, I’ll show you my martial skill—Fearless Charge!”

At that moment, the spear resembled a silver dragon, striking swiftly toward Yaoye. Ignoring the pain in his shoulder, Yaoye hurriedly positioned the greatsword before him.

The spearhead crashed fiercely against the greatsword, which slammed heavily into Yaoye’s chest, sending him flying back. He landed with one hand bracing the ground, spitting a mouthful of blood.

“Hmph, you think a sneak attack will let you beat me? Overestimating yourself.”

Yaoye steadied himself against the greatsword and stood up. Raising it again, he took a running start and charged at Zhu Xi.

“You’ll taste my martial skill too—Wave Devour!”

Zhu Xi sneered disdainfully, further infusing his silver spear with spiritual energy. The two clashed once more; Yaoye was thrown back. Zhu Xi swallowed the blood in his mouth with difficulty, glaring fiercely.

“Hmph, what other tricks do you have? I advise you to surrender now, or I will take your life.”

“Cough cough cough...” Yaoye pressed his chest and struggled to stand, lowering his head as a smile spread across his face. Zhu Xi’s expression darkened.

“Hmph, you can still smile when death is upon you?”

“Cough cough, your wounds aren’t minor either. If you weren’t hurt at all, you wouldn’t be wasting words. You’d have killed me already!”

Zhu Xi had intended to use words to lower Yaoye’s guard, but seeing that Yaoye guessed his thoughts, he couldn’t help but respect him a little more.

“Fine, I’ll take your life now. Prepare to die.”

Gripping his spear tightly, Zhu Xi sprinted forward. Watching the spear draw nearer and nearer, Yaoye knew he had no strength left to fight. His heart burned with anxiety.

“What should I do... no matter, I’ll try that move!”

Closing his eyes, Yaoye summoned his remaining spiritual power to stimulate his demon core. After years of dormancy, it burst forth with a unique radiance, an ancient power sweeping the surroundings.

Savoring the long-lost strength, Yaoye’s face showed a blissful expression. Zhu Xi, as if seeing a ghost, retreated frantically, his eyes fixed on Yaoye.

“That aura... Hmph, tricks and illusions—I don’t believe you possess such power.”

“Hahaha, very well. Zhu Xi, since you helped me break the seal, I will repay you handsomely.”

Seeing Yaoye’s casual demeanor amid his attack, Zhu Xi felt a rising dread. Yet as his spear neared Yaoye, who remained lost in his reverie, Zhu Xi pressed on fiercely.

Yaoye smirked and disdainfully glanced at Zhu Xi. His right hand clenched, and the greatsword flew back into his grasp. Holding the sword loosely, he parried all of Zhu Xi’s strikes, none breaching his defense.

With a mocking look at Zhu Xi, Yaoye suddenly applied force in his right hand, striking Zhu Xi’s spear. Zhu Xi felt a tremendous force hit him and was sent flying, spitting fresh blood uncontrollably.

Dragging the greatsword across the stone ground, sparks flew as Yaoye slowly advanced toward Zhu Xi.

“It’s over.”

Yaoye raised the greatsword and brought it down upon Zhu Xi’s head. Zhu Xi forced a block, but the heavy blade smashed hard against his spear, sending it flying. The greatsword followed through, striking Zhu Xi’s head. Eyes wide with shock, Zhu Xi collapsed.